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Composer In Residence

Posted by Mark Wilkinson on 21 August 2008

The Fodens Band are delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Scott as composer in residence.

Andy has already carved himself an astounding career as a performer and composer. As a saxophonist Andy has premiered concertos by Graham Fitkin, Pete Meechan, Paul Mitchell Davidson, Dave Heath and many more. His saxophone quartet 'SaxAssault' are critically acclaimed and have undertaken tours, CD recordings as well as many high profile projects with names such as Gwilym Simcock and Bob Mintzer.

The Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo performed by invitation at the 33rd International Association of Jazz Educators in New York City, USA, followed by concerts & workshops in Mexico in April. The Duo's debut CD 'SandDancer' is available on the Quartz record label. The Duo undertook a Tour in Autumn 2006, collaborating with actor Richard Ellis and photographer Gary Abbott, presenting their take of Roger McGough's classic poem, 'Summer with Monica' .

Since its formation in 1985 Andy has played Tenor Saxophone in the internationally-acclaimed Apollo Saxophone Quartet, touring Europe and Asia, recording for labels such as Decca/Argo, Black Box, Quartz and broadcasting many times for BBC Radio. The ASQ has commissioned over 100 works to date, many of which are now 'standard' saxophone quartet repertoire.

As a composer, Andy is a champion of new music and his works embrace elements of classical, jazz and world music, creating a distinctive individual style. Recent musicians/bodies to commission works from Andy include ; Apitos, Arabesque Duo, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Backbeat Percussion Ensemble, British Association of Wind Bands & Ensembles, British Clarinet Ensemble, James Gourlay, Mike Hall, Kintamarni Saxophone Quartet, Royal Northern College of Music, Clare Southworth, Tubalate, Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, and Sandbach School. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music & the Trinity Guildhall Exams include works by Andy on their latest syllabuses. As a result of winning the Peter Whittingham Award, new music for Sax Assault was premiered on an Arts Council of England supported UK Tour and broadcast by BBC Radio 3 'Jazz Notes'. From September 2007 Andy is Composer in Residence at Sandbach School, Cheshire. His Basbwe College Consortium commissioned Two Saxophone & Wind Band Concerto, Dark Rain, was performed as a featured work at the 14th World Saxophone Congress in July 2006 by soloists John Harle & Rob Buckland. In November 2006 Andy was awarded First Prize in the British Composer Awards 2006 (Wind Band & Brass Band Category) for Dark Rain.

Andy's appointment as composer in residence comes after the highly successful reception of his Concerto For Tuba, 'Salt of the Earth' performed at the RNCM festival of brass earlier this year.

Andy is a great musician to work with. His experience and talent are there for all to see and are only matched by his modesty and honesty.

We are delighted to welcome such a wonderful talent to the band and are very much looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Andy.

For any conductor and every audience, Foden’s Band is a musical Magic Carpet. It continually takes the listener to places that few other ensembles rarely even approachHoward Snell